Skin Care Info

Banish Dry Skin or what I call Winter skin. We have winter skin even in South Florida.  Our skin changes all of the time.  Even though we do not have the cold in Florida we do have a change of season.  Women’s and Men’s skin changes all of the time.  You can not expect your skin to stay the same.  As we age our skin changes and as the weather changes so does our skin. 

When we go through stress skin changes and when we get excited about something it changes.

Skin care doesn’t have to be complicated.  Small steps like using a moisturizer takes just a few minutes in your daily life.  I call skin care CPR for the skin.  In the winter season, adjusting your skin care and making small tweaks is a must.

I recommend a good cleanser to clean the dirt out of your skin. One I like is G.M. Collins skin care line carried only in professional spas.  I love their new Bio Organique line; very simple and basic with good results.  It is also great for men who do not want to spend a lot of time on their regimen.

Just cleanse, protect, and restore; again (CPR) for your skin. Avoid products that can dry out the skin, such as astringents and deodorant soaps. Sunscreen still is important even during the winter months.  I say if you need to wear sunglasses then you need sun protection.  I recommend if you don’t like a regular sunscreen to use a dry mineral sunscreen like Jane Iredale 100% Mineral make-up.  Just brush it on.  It is that simple.

Cater a skin care routine to your individual preference. Want to add more pizzazz? Try an exfoliating mask or skin peel. There are several great ones out there.  Use a exfoliating mask or scrub 2 to 3 times a week to exfoliate your skin to a healthy appearance.  Men, exfoliate right before shaving .  Dead skin builds up on our skin causing it to look dull.  If you do not exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week your skin will look dull and dry.

“Hot water tends to dry your skin more. People don’t have to take cold showers, but they should turn the temperature down a little bit if they are having problems with dryness or rashes,

 Use moisturizer immediately after bathing. It helps to trap the moisture in your skin and can keep you from getting dry and itchy .  Use a lotion for less dry skin and a cream base for dryer skin types.  Any cream with shea butter is great.

Try and get a facial at least once a month to clean out your pores and to have a good exfoliation. 

 Remember always take good care of your skin.

Robin has worked in the beauty business for many years and was a national trainer for several cosmetic companies.
She opened the first Avon Spa in Trump Tower in New York and opened several Arden Red Door Spas. Robin is now owner of Le Boe European Day Spa in Coral Springs Florida. Robin is a member of International Spa Association and is affiliated with many other organizations.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/dry-skin-or-winter-skin-even-in-south-florida-1439208.html

Shaving brushes are essential for a complete shaving experience. A brush is the best way to apply the shaving cream or any other shaving product onto the face prior to the actual shaving. To ensure that you get only the highest quality shaving brushes, you need to familiarize yourself first with the types out in the market. The experience will be much more enjoyable with the right type of brush for your needs and preferences. Exactly how does a shaving brush work? Think of it as a sponge that absorbs water, which would then blend with the shaving cream before it is put on your face. The amount of water the brush absorbs would greatly depend on the type of bristles used, so choosing the material the bristles are made of will be one of the most important decisions you will make. The types of brushes are also divided into the material used for the bristles. Types of Shaving Brushes & the Hair Used Shaving brushes made of badger hair are some of the finest ones available in the market; shaving enthusiasts also claim that these brushes are an absolute luxury to use. The badger hair bristles are extremely soft to the touch, which is important for use on sensitive facial skin. These are also the most durable brushes, superior to the ones using synthetic materials for their bristles. Higher priced than brushes made of other materials, these brushes are still the best ones considered by wet shaving enthusiasts. Brushes made from Boar’s hair have a lower water-retention capacity, less than the ones made of badger hair; the smaller amount of water retained by the bristles results in a less effective lather. Boar’s hair bristles often feel prickly and stiff, a far cry from the soft and fine badger hair bristles. Synthetic fiber brushes are available in varying prices and quality, mostly depending on the specific synthetic material used and the durability. Some of these brushes are made purely from nylon; some are mixed with boar hair in hopes of making the brush more usable (which sort of defies the logic of having a synthetic brush in the first place, if you were looking for a vegan option, for example). These brushes are the least expensive kind, although they are also known to be the stiffest and prickliest; they also hold the least amount of water. Users who are allergic to animal hairs would benefit the most from using synthetic fibers. After establishing the different shaving brush types and the various materials used to make them, we can concentrate on the material most preferred by most wet shaving enthusiasts – brushes made with badger hair. These high quality brushes are further classified into the kind of badger hair used.

Types of Badger Hair Used for Shaving Brushes

Silver Tip – these are the hairs from the badger’s neck, considered to be the softest and most luxurious. It is the most expensive kind of badger hair, because of its limited availability. During the colder winter months, the neck hair becomes very light-tipped. Brushes made from silver-tip hair are mostly hand-assembled or handmade. Some manufacturers are known to produce brushes made of a high-end variety, carefully selected two-band, silver-tip hairs: the now defunct Simpsons Manchurian and Plisson High Mountain White.
Super Badger – these hairs are almost like the silver tips, with the super badger brush tips having a silver, almost off-white color. The material is also very soft, almost as luxurious as the silver-tip. Best Badger – these are made from the badger hairs that are found in 20-25% of the animal’s body. The hairs are lighter in color and longer compared to the pure badger hair. Pure Badger – these are dark brown or black in color and are made from a more inferior grade of badger hair, which are from the badger’s underbelly. It is also more identifiable with its darker hair. Some shaving enthusiasts prefer this material for its stiffer qualities. Generally, most of the pure badger brushes are machine-made (i.e. Muhle pure badger shaving brushes). One notable exception is Vulfix, who still make their pure badger brushes by hand. After deciding on the material that you would like for your shaving brush bristles, it is time to look for the brush handle that would work best for you. Before discussing the different materials used for the handle, you should first consider the knot size, which is the diameter of the bristles at the end of the handle; this would give you a clear idea of how big the brush would be against your face. Brushes with a larger knot size would be able to produce more lather, but might pose problems for those with smaller faces. With everything considered, determining the best knot size would still depend on your personal requirements and preferences. Shave Brush Handles Brush handles should be closely considered to make sure you are getting the perfect shaving brush (at least for your personal use). Regardless of the material, the handle should feel perfectly comfortable in your hand, to eliminate or minimize any difficulties when you are maneuvering the brush prior to shaving. Plastic handles are very common nowadays, even in the most expensive shaving brushes. Aside from being a sturdy material which can withstand even the roughest handling, plastic also feels very comfortable when held. Users also encounter fewer problems with plastic handles in the slippery and wet environment of the bathroom, where the shaving is mostly done. Wooden handle brushes are also very versatile, and are also water-resistant. These handles give a more classic look to the shaving brushes, and if cared for properly, can give years of service to the owner. Those who opt to go for wooden handles should be diligent in taking care of them, as wood will weather over time; this process can accelerate if proper maintenance is not done. Metal handle brushes are very sleek and classic-looking. Some of the materials that can be used for shaving brush handles are gold, brass, chrome and nickel. Just like handles made of wood, those made of metal should be properly cleaned and taken care of to maintain their distinctive finish. Metal handles are great for those who want to have a brush with a unique statement; they can also be personalized and given out as presents. The drawback of metal handles is their weight; heavy brushes tend to be more difficult to maneuver. Other unique and exotic handle materials include tortoise shell and ivory, which give the brush a distinctive feel. However, it should be noted that the handle’s material does not affect the quality of the brush when used. You can turn to a number of reliable manufacturers to help you in your quest for the perfect shaving brush. Some of the industry’s most trusted brands include Edwin Jagger, Kent, Simpsons, Shavemac, Omega, Muhle, Plisson and Vulfix; these are the brands most known to wet-shaving enthusiasts from all parts of the globe. Most of these brands can be bought online at their respective manufacturers’ websites, or through merchant sites; both options provide clients with convenient shopping and delivery processes. If you are unsure of what brands to purchase, it would be best to look at the product reviews and testimonials from clients who want to share their views. This is a good way to start weighing the options, as you will get unbiased and straight-to-the-point comments from people who have actually used the products (compared to advertisements that, naturally, just focus on a brand’s positive features). Searching for the shaving brush that answers all your needs may require a considerable amount of time and effort; you may have to try a number of brushes first before discovering what brand or kind fits your requirements perfectly. When you finally find the ultimate shaving brush, expect your wet-shaving experience to be much more fulfilling. Plisson High Mountain White Shaving Brush
Silver Tip – these are the hairs from the badger’s neck, considered to be the softest and most luxurious. It is the most expensive kind of badger hair, because of its limited availability. During the colder winter months, the neck hair becomes very light-tipped. Brushes made from silver-tip hair are mostly hand-assembled or handmade. Some manufacturers are known to produce brushes made of a high-end variety, carefully selected two-band, silver-tip hairs: the now defunct Simpsons Manchurian and Plisson High Mountain White.
Super Badger – these hairs are almost like the silver tips, with the super badger brush tips having a silver, almost off-white color. The material is also very soft, almost as luxurious as the silver-tip. Best Badger – these are made from the badger hairs that are found in 20-25% of the animal’s body. The hairs are lighter in color and longer compared to the pure badger hair. Pure Badger – these are dark brown or black in color and are made from a more inferior grade of badger hair, which are from the badger’s underbelly. It is also more identifiable with its darker hair. Some shaving enthusiasts prefer this material for its stiffer qualities. Generally, most of the pure badger brushes are machine-made (i.e. Muhle pure badger shaving brushes). One notable exception is Vulfix, who still make their pure badger brushes by hand. After deciding on the material that you would like for your shaving brush bristles, it is time to look for the brush handle that would work best for you. Before discussing the different materials used for the handle, you should first consider the knot size, which is the diameter of the bristles at the end of the handle; this would give you a clear idea of how big the brush would be against your face. Brushes with a larger knot size would be able to produce more lather, but might pose problems for those with smaller faces. With everything considered, determining the best knot size would still depend on your personal requirements and preferences. Shave Brush Handles Brush handles should be closely considered to make sure you are getting the perfect shaving brush (at least for your personal use). Regardless of the material, the handle should feel perfectly comfortable in your hand, to eliminate or minimize any difficulties when you are maneuvering the brush prior to shaving. Plastic handles are very common nowadays, even in the most expensive shaving brushes. Aside from being a sturdy material which can withstand even the roughest handling, plastic also feels very comfortable when held. Users also encounter fewer problems with plastic handles in the slippery and wet environment of the bathroom, where the shaving is mostly done. Wooden handle brushes are also very versatile, and are also water-resistant. These handles give a more classic look to the shaving brushes, and if cared for properly, can give years of service to the owner. Those who opt to go for wooden handles should be diligent in taking care of them, as wood will weather over time; this process can accelerate if proper maintenance is not done. Metal handle brushes are very sleek and classic-looking. Some of the materials that can be used for shaving brush handles are gold, brass, chrome and nickel. Just like handles made of wood, those made of metal should be properly cleaned and taken care of to maintain their distinctive finish. Metal handles are great for those who want to have a brush with a unique statement; they can also be personalized and given out as presents. The drawback of metal handles is their weight; heavy brushes tend to be more difficult to maneuver. Other unique and exotic handle materials include tortoise shell and ivory, which give the brush a distinctive feel. However, it should be noted that the handle’s material does not affect the quality of the brush when used. You can turn to a number of reliable manufacturers to help you in your quest for the perfect shaving brush. Some of the industry’s most trusted brands include Edwin Jagger, Kent, Simpsons, Shavemac, Omega, Muhle, Plisson and Vulfix; these are the brands most known to wet-shaving enthusiasts from all parts of the globe. Most of these brands can be bought online at their respective manufacturers’ websites, or through merchant sites; both options provide clients with convenient shopping and delivery processes. If you are unsure of what brands to purchase, it would be best to look at the product reviews and testimonials from clients who want to share their views. This is a good way to start weighing the options, as you will get unbiased and straight-to-the-point comments from people who have actually used the products (compared to advertisements that, naturally, just focus on a brand’s positive features). Searching for the shaving brush that answers all your needs may require a considerable amount of time and effort; you may have to try a number of brushes first before discovering what brand or kind fits your requirements perfectly. When you finally find the ultimate shaving brush, expect your wet-shaving experience to be much more fulfilling.

Wet-shaving has transformed a dreaded routine into a ritual I look forward to every day. Through my blog I would like to bring this experience to more classic shaving enthusiasts around the world.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-shaving-brushes-sort-of-1375221.html

More than at any other point in time winter skin care is by far the most difficult period. The weather during that time of the year becomes particularly dry; it is typically quite brisk, and at times brutally cold. Your skin needs the best moisturizing treatment that money can buy during this time of the year, but with all of the different formulas that are being offered, which is the right choice?

When it comes to treating dry skin, and especially skin that is really dry, you have to be very careful that you do not use a moisturizing formula on your skin that is simply going to make a bad situation worse. This is the danger that the great majority of the skin care formulas on the market present, as they do not contain the correct ingredients for ensuring the good health of your skin.

In order to combat excessive drying in the winter skin care formulas should feature plant based oils, extracts, and waxes, because these elements are especially effective at treating your skin deep down. Natural compounds such as grapeseed oil and Babassu wax not only moisturize, but they also form and invisible layer on your skin that locks the deposited moisture inside.

It is very difficult to find moisturizing skin care formulas that offer you those types of compounds however. Most of the cosmetics industry does not seem to want to invest the money into their products to procure the necessary ingredients in order for their formulas to be effective. These companies would rather save their pennies by using petroleum based compounds instead.

Although petroleum based compounds are terrible for your skin no matter what time of year it is, during winter skin care with these compounds could not be worse. Paraffin wax, mineral oil, and petrolatum are all compounds that have the capability to lower the production of your natural skin oil. With no moisture being produced and none coming from the outside due to the density of these compounds you end up multiplying your problems.

During winter skin care must take the form of an extra special set of ingredients, so make sure that your chosen formulas contain nothing other than all natural compounds. The oils and waxes these products include are wonderful for use on your skin all year long, and the continuous use of these formulas will just make each winter easier to manage.

Sharon McCarthy is a health enthusiast and a dedicated researcher of natural skin care products. Visit her website now and discover proven cutting edge skin care products that protect your skin and slow down the aging process: http://healthy-skin-care.info

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/winter-skin-care-tips-how-to-properly-treat-your-skin-in-the-winter-months-1364132.html

When keeping a well known skin care routine, it might seem hard to get changes in it. But in order to keep your body nice and healthy, make sure you made the best choices for your skin. These are the basic tips you should know about.

The Proper routine

There are three essential steps in each skin care routine: cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

Adjust these steps to the winter damaging factors and your skin will keep its youthful appearance. When you cleanse, make sure you are doing it gently, because skin will get more sensitive from the cold. If you make further damages, the bacterias will spread out and breakouts will appear.

Also, find a lighter toner, that will only finish the cleansing step and close your pores.

As for the moisturizer, choose a creamier one, which will deep nourish your skin. You can opt for some homemade facials which will also hydrate as best as possible with their 100% natural ingredients.

Protect Your Skin

Just as in summer, there are some external factors your should protect your skin from. First of all, make sure you keep hydrating yourself, by drinking plenty of water and moisturizing your skin as best as possible. Even if you have oily skin, keep on moisturizing, to provide comfort to your skin.

Gently exfoliate your skin once in a while, to remove all the dead skin cells left on your face. But make sure once again not to harm your skin, and you can opt for the homemade scrubs to.

Stay away as best as possible from the wind and cold, wear scarfs and keep your skin in warm.

Use a sunscreen to maintain a good protection from the UV rays. This will keep your skin youthful and fresh as it is.

Protect your lips to. Being always exposed to the cold and other weather issues, your lips might get dry and chapped. Opt for a lip balm as an everyday use, even as a lipstick base. This way the lips will stay hydrated to and wrinkle free.

Also, another important thing to be careful with, is the water you take your shower with. Opt for the lukewarm one instead of extra hot water. This way your skin maintains its natural moisture and wont get damaged because of the big temperature gap.

Winter ha sits own harming factors, so do your best in avoiding them, in protecting and treating your skin right. Moisturize as often as needed, boost your body with all the vitamins it needs and you’ll be safe. Make sure you provide enough attention to your skin, in order to avoid damaged skin and appearance of aging signs.

For more Skin Care and Body Care tips, visit our sites
www.skin-care.becomegorgeous.com and www.bodycare.becomegorgeous.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/winter-skin-care-routine-1359259.html

Ways to prevent dry skin & irritation during the winter season AndreasChoiceOnline.com

Jan 05, 2010 – Maybe you entered winter with soft, supple skin, but now you’re engaged in a daily battle against dry, tight, dull skin. Without the right care, winter’s chilly temperatures and brisk winds can make you more prone to premature wrinkles and creases. You may be tempted to rush out to buy expensive skin cosmetics, but, relax.

Core Content Media’s got the scoop on the best ways to take care of your skin in their original article, Best Tips to Take Care of Your Skin, now available for website, blog or newsletter publishers.

Here are just a few of the tips you’ll need this season to get — and keep — your skin glowing and supple:

1. Moisturize more often.
During the season you’ll need to moisturize more than before. “Products with a little oil or bland emollients are best to lock in the moisture,” says Dr. Ron Vender, a Hamilton-based dermatologist. Even people with oily skin aren’t of the hook…

2. Take short, lukewarm baths.
Purge the urge to take long, steamy showers. While they may help you forget how cold it is outside, hot baths in winter dehydrate your skin even more. To ease the drying effect on your skin, use a moisturizing soap when you bathe, or wash your face or hands…

3. Go easy on exfoliation.
Surprised? Your face and body don’t need as much exfoliation as you may think. Plus, if you exfoliate too much, you may irritate your already dehydrated skin even more. Dr. Vender points out that bathing or washing your face with a terry cloth should be enough. Foot care in winter is another matter, however….

The original article, including tips for eczema care in winter and foods that help lock in moisture, is available at Core Content Media, where you can find more health, natural health, beauty, weight loss, and fitness articles for your website, blog, or newsletter.

Core Content Media now offers SEO content, original articles, exclusive copyright and easy terms of use. Articles can also be used for article marketing or promotional purposes. Plus, web, blog, or newsletter publishers will find individual content and Membership plans to suit their budgets.

all natural skin care

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/best-winter-skin-care-tips-from-core-content-media-1772931.html

As winter winds and cold, dry air dehydrate our skin—what’s a woman to do?  Slather their skin with moisturizers, right?

Wrong.

A moisturizer is like “dessert” to your skin—it feels good, nice and smooth, but does little to nothing for your skin cells that lay beneath the surface—the source of skin aging.  That’s why it’s important to remember the “main course” of skin care—products that activate, stimulate and protect your skin.

During winter, it’s especially important to:

• Exfoliate.  The dull, dry skin cells on the surface of the skin should be exfoliated, and there are a couple of reasons for this.  (1) Exfoliation allows younger, healthier skin cells can emerge, (2) you can enhance the penetration of other skin care products, because they don’t get trapped by the superficial cells.  If anti-aging products (and these are generally the pricey ones!) remain on the surface of your skin, they’re pretty useless. Allow them to work, and work hard!  (3) Exfoliation deep cleans the pores, and helps reduce excess oils. During the summer, I recommend exfoliating twice a week, but during the winter, every day.  Use Exfoliating Polish in the shower; it’s easier to rinse off that way.
• Protect.  During winter the days are shorter, but UVB rays will stay damage your skin, and UVA rays will penetrate through windows and go straight to the dermis—where they can create permanent damage .  If you’re headed to the mountains for skiing (or even if you’re a ski bunny), remember that UV rays are intensified by snow and high altitude.  Taking a vacation from sunscreen during the winter is a big mistake. 
• Avoid the use of hot water.  It may feel good for a few minutes (no showers longer than 10 minutes, please), but will dehydrate your skin, deplete the natural oils and create parched, chapped, dry skin.
• Your face and hands need extra care during the winter, because they have greater exposure.  Be sure to exfoliate and hydrate!
• With shorter days and colder temperatures, most of us spend more time indoors during the winter, where the air is warmer, but also dryer.  Use a humidifer, don’t overuse space heaters (including your car), and drink plenty of water.
• Escape.  These are stressful times.  Find time for yourself.  Take a warm bath, read a good book, do something just for yourself.  I like to study foreign languages, especially French, because it’s a brief respite from the real world and 24-hour news.  Do something that you enjoy for short, daily escapes.

While you take care of everyone else this holiday season, be sure to take care of yourself (and your skin!)

For more information visit us on the web at http://www.zoskinhealth.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/winter-skin-care-1557132.html

Winter is just around the corner and the cold weather can play havoc on the skin. Every season we should evaluate our skin care routine. For instance, during the winter months the sebaceous (oil) glands produce less oil; thus for those with oily skin during the summer months they may find some relief from excess oil during the winter. However for those of us with combination skin or dry skin, the winter months dry out the skin even more.

Below are suggestions to help you combat dry skin in the winter time:

Hydrate the Face – both inside and outside. Winter is the perfect time for warm herbal teas loaded with antioxidants. Additionally, you should have a daytime moisturizer that still includes SPF and an emollient rich night time cream. Consider a lotion during the day and a cream at night time. Consider creams that contain shea butter, avocado oil, and olive oil for example. Avoid moisturizers that contain alcohol and synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and coloring, as these have a tendency to strip the skin of its natural oils and have a drying effect on the skin.

Cleansing – we all know that we should stay clear of harsh soaps on our face. We also know that we should avoid extremely hot showers, although they are so tempting when it’s zero degrees! Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils thus drying out the skin.

Cleansing for the body,  consider a body wash that is gentle and can enrich the skin such as aloe Vera. After your shower pat down with a lotion rich in moisture such as shea butter. If possible consider using fragrance- and dye-free laundry detergents and avoid fabric softeners. These chemicals embedded into our clothes can irritate dry skin.

Facial Cleansing – this is probably the most important part of your skin care routine. A good cleanser will thoroughly clean the skin and not strip away natural oils.

Facial Toning – this is a matter of preference. I have read and written several articles about the importance of toners, however there are some that say it is not needed. Personally, I love my homemade green tea and chamomile toner.   

Body Exfoliate – A good exfoliate once a week will perk up skin and color by promoting circulation under the skin.  

Facial Exfoliate – usually once a week. For an easy exfoliate, add a little cornmeal to your facial cleansing. You will notice a difference in the feel and look of your complexion.

Facial Masks – A facial mask can do so much to hydrate deep down into the lower layers of the skin. There are numerous types on the market.  Oatmeal, clay, avocado masks are so beneficial to the skin.

Lips – thin skinned and no oil producing glands in the lips. They take a beating during the winter. If you suffer from chapped lips all winter long consider a waxy lip balm to lock in moisture and protect before you got outdoors. Consider a lip balm that contain avocado, olive, or soybean, they soften and soothe, while vitamin A-rich shea butter promotes healing.

Hands and Feet – just like the face, if you do not wear gloves, the hands are exposed to the winter elements. They need moisture and protection to. Consider a day lotion with SPF and at night give them a treatment with some shea butter for example. The feet which never see the light of day during the winter months are still vulnerable to cracks and dry skin and prone to developing fungus. Consider a balm with peppermint or tea tree oil at night to fight fungus, and cover your feet with cotton socks. Additionally a weekly soak in Epsom salts does wonders to relieve foot ache, fungus and cleanse.

For wonderful homemade skin care recipes, including body scrubs, toners, exfoliates, facial peels and masks visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/winter-skin-care-101-1519297.html